There has been a pattern in humankind ever since we have existed.

It is that of giving up something to gain another.

Sacrifices

Sacrifices for riches and greed,

Sacrifices for love and justice,

This is never-ending cycle that plays up the trivialities of our short existence,

as it downplays the sacredness of it.

A long time ago, there once existed the golden and prospering Empire of Azalea. Azalea was the name bestowed upon it after the founding, for it was the empress of whom was so precious to the emperor that he named it after.

She was as beautiful and delicate as her name…. Azalea. Just like all the Azalea flowers that the emperor planted, which engulfed every garden surrounding the palace.

The empress bore two sons, Theliodous and Titus. Theliodous was only one year older than Titus…but older nonetheless. This made him heir to the Azalea throne.

Unfortunately, the empress died during childbirth with Titus. As a result of this, Titus was shunned for not being as smart, brave, nor sophisticated as his elder brother. He was detested by the emperor for being the cause of his beloved wife’s death.

Titus grew bitterer as the years drug on. Everything he did was never good enough…or to the emperor good at all.

Theliodous was showered with love and praise…Titus with criticism and mockery.

At 19 years old…only months before he was crowned emperor, Theliodous became ill.

What started as a fever and wheezing eventually graduated to him throwing up blood, losing muscle movement, and eventually becoming bedridden.

When the royal physician came back with a diagnosis…it was poison.

As rumors do in noble society, the rumor that Titus was the one that had poisoned the crown prince spread like wildfire... carried by remarks such as, “I bet it was for the crown.”

The jury didn’t even deliberate for more than an hour…

Guilty..

Guilty for murdering the crown prince…

A crime only punishable by death…

**

Sniffle..

Sniffle..

Titus laid on the cold dungeon floor whimpering as he waited for his death.

“Waahh..it wasn’t me!” He wailed.

“Would you shut up?!”

A woman’s raspy voice echoed against the dungeon walls.

“Wha-?...Who’s there?!” Titus demanded to know in a shaky voice. He turned his head back and forth as if he had more than the moonlight to see.

“I’m Yama’s reaper coming for your soul if you do not comply and shut up.” Growled the voice in a sarcastic tone.

He realized quickly that the voice had come from the cell next to him. Upon this realization he scrambled to get his ear against the wall.

The woman then said with a voice still raspy but calm, “You are no longer royalty, you are a peasant on death row. Do you honestly think you will get any pity here??”

To which Titus scrunched up his nose and whined, “But… it’s not fair.”

“Pft..BAHAHAHAHAHA.”

Titus covered his ears as her laughter bounced off the old brick walls.

When she finally quit laughing, he whimpered with distaste, “What are you-…This isn’t funny!!”

To which she replied, “Oh I beg to differ dear.”

“…..”

Her voice began to show her older age as she said, “Not fair you say….That is rich coming from a prince who spent his life in luxury. Never going hungry, never knowing struggle…tell me young sire…why does it matter if you weren’t the one to poison the crown prince?”

Titus grabbed his cells bars eagerly.

“So, you know it wasn’t me?!” He exclaimed.

To which the old woman replied dryly, “So what?”

Titus didn’t miss a beat as he yelped, “So you can help me!!”

“I don’t know what part of from riches to rags you are not understanding little precious prince. Once you lose your noble title…it just doesn’t matter if you are guilty or innocent.” She said smugly. “And what can an old woman awaiting the same fate as you do for you?”

“…….”

Titus let go off the bars and leaned back against the wall.

He spoke softly, “I know…dammit I know...but I just want…”

The old woman cut him off, “Revenge?”.

Titus stayed silent for a moment cupping his hands around his face…

His breathing then slowed as he said calmly, “No…I want it all. Not just revenge. I want to take everything from them.”

His eyes became crazed as if they were thirsting for blood, “I want EVERYTHING.”

“Ah…so this is what you meant...” The old lady mumbled as if her mind was far away from the situation at hand.

“What…what is it?” Said Titus.

“I will help you.” She replied with a smile.

Titus hung his head once more, “No, you’re right… an old hag like you can’t—MMM!! MPH!”

It didn’t take Titus long to realize his mouth had been sealed by mysterious magic.

“But first I’m going to need you to shut up…..Can you do that for me?”

Titus nodded his head.

She released the spell.

The old woman then began to explain what he needed to do to both save his life…and take everything he ever wanted from the people who had done him wrong.

“First, you will need to call on Yama.”

“YAMA?!?! As in the king of the underworld?!?!”

“Would you like me to seal your mouth again sire?”

“Just tell me what to do….”Titus answered as she pulled out a golden locket from her cloak and explained the ritual.